Edward barrath



(No Model.)

B. BARRATH. SHEET METAL CAN.

No. 507,306, Patented O0t.24,1893..

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EDWARD BARRATH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE VICTOR KEY- OPENING CAN AND MA HINERY COMPANY, OF sAME PLACE.

SHEET-METAL CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters .Patent No. 507,306, dated October 24, 1893. Application filed December 30,1892. Serial No. 456,838. (No model.)

To wZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD BARRATH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illino1s, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sheet-Metal Cans, (Case No. 5,) of which the following is a full, clear, conelse, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to sheet metal cans, and more particularly to that class known as key opening cans. Its object is to produce a can that may be opened without the use of cutting tools.

My invention consists in a sheet metal can provided with a single aperture for the withdrawal of the fluid contained therein, which aperture may be closed by means of a sheet metal lip, preferably forming a continuation of one of the sides of the can, said lip being soldered to the can around the aperture leaving its end or tip extending beyond the soldered portion, which tip may be grasped by means of a key to remove the lip from the aperture to permit the withdrawal of the fluid.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a sheet metal can embodying my invention with the aperture sealed by the lip. Fig. 2 shows the same with the lip removed from the aperture. Fig. 3 shows the aperture closed by a cork, the lip being bent down out of the way. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the can, as shown in Fig. 1, upon a plane passing through the center of the aperture and the middle of the lip. Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view of the can, as shown in Fig. 3.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

I have illustrated my invention in connection with a rectangular can, but it may be applied to cans of any shape or construction with only slight changes in matters of detail.

Through the top plate a of the can, and near one of the vertical sides I), is provided an aperture c. I preferably place the aperture in one corner of the top plate so that the cone verging sides may act as a trough to properly direct the fluid passing through the aperture, when the can is tilted, to the receiving vessel. Integral with the vertical side Z) and opposite the aperture 0, an extending lip d is provided, of such a width that, when brought down over the aperture, it will overlap the edges thereof, and, of such a length, that it will extend some distance beyond the aperture. The can having been filled, the lip 01 is brought 50 down over the aperture and soldered or sealed to the top plate a, so that access of air to the aperture may beprevented. In this operation, the tip of the lip is not secured to the plate, but is left free. 5

When it is desired to gain access to the interior of the can the tip of the lip cl is grasped by means of a key provided with aslot. The end of the lip may be rolled thereon and a pull or jerk exerted upon the lip so that the soldered or sealed connection between the lip and the top of the can will yield and permit the removal of the lip from the aperture. If it is not desired to remove the entire contents of the can at once a cork may be inserted in the aperture, as shown in Fig. 3, and the lip bent back out of the way. This operation of opening the can does not destroy any part of the can, the only ruptured element being the solder or sealing wax, so that, if it be desired, the can may be refilled and again sealed, and thus the same can may be used over and over again. It is not essential, however, that the lip which is adapted to cover the aperture should be integral with the metal of the can, though such a construction is preferable. The lip may be securely soldered, or otherwise attached to the can by one edge, so that it may perform the same function as does the inte-" gral lip, being adapted, when the aperture is covered thereby, and the free tip is grasped, and force is exerted thereon, to break connection with the can at all points except at the securely fastened edge. Or, the lip may be secured to the can at all points around the aperture with equal strength, so that, when the free tip is grasped and force exerted there on, the lip will be entirely severed from the can. It is evident, however, that my invention is susceptible of various modifications 100 without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I, therefore, Wish to claim the invention broadly.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a new article of manufacture, a can provided with an aperture,a lip integral with the metal of which said can is made and adapted to cover said aperture and seal the same, said lip being provided with a free tip which may be grasped to remove the lip from the aperture, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a can provided with an aperture in the top andnear one of the vertical sides, a lip integral with said vertical side and adapted to cover said aperture and seal the same, the tip of saidlip being free; whereby the same may be grasped to remove the lip from the aperture substantially as described.

3. The combination with the sheet metal can, provided with the aperture 0, of the lip 01 covering and sealing said aperture c, said lip being formed integral with the side of said can the tip of said lip being free; whereby the tip may be grasped to remove the lip from the aperture substantially asdescrlbed.

4:. In a can provided with tapering sides, the combination with the lip 61 formed integral with the material of said sides and cut from that portion of the sheet that would otherwise be waste material, of an aperture in said can adapted to be covered and sealed by said lip, the tip thereof being free; whereby the tip may be grasped to remove the lip from the aperture, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of December, A. D1892.

E D WARD BARRATH.

Witnesses:

CHARLES A. BROWN, GEORGE L. CRAGG. 

